iPhone Xs and Xs Max Australian pricing
Australia's telcos opened the gates for pre-ordering the latest Apple iPhones on Friday evening, with the outright cost of some models breaking well past the AU$2,000 barrier.
Heading over to Apple for an outright purchase of an iPhone Xs will cost AU$1,629 for the 64GB version, AU$1,879 for 256GB of storage, and AU$2,199 for the 512GB model. Each phone arrives with either a silver, space grey, or gold finish.
Compared to the $999 to $1,349 cost for the iPhone Xs in America, once 10 percent of GST is added, the price increase for Australians is around the AU$100 mark.
For the iPhone Xs Max, a 64GB version costs AU$1,799; 256GB of storage is AU$2,049; and the 512GB model is AU$2,369.
See: Meet Apple's iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR: Prices and specs
MINIMUM SPEND
Including handset repayments, the minimum spend per month for the new iPhones on each telco are:
| Telstra 2 year plan 3GB | Optus 2 year plan 2GB* | Vodafone 3 year plan 2GB* | |
| iPhone Xs 64GB | AU$109 | AU$85 | AU$80.25 |
| iPhone Xs 256GB | AU$124 | AU$100 | AU$87.19 |
| iPhone Xs 512GB | AU$139 | AU$115 | AU$96.08 |
| iPhone Xs Max 64GB | AU$124 | AU$95 | AU$84.97 |
| iPhone Xs Max 256GB | AU$139 | AU$110 | AU$91.91 |
| iPhone Xs Max 512GB | AU$154 | AU$125 | AU$100.80 |
*At the time of writing, the telco was having a double data promotion, and the base plan was 2GB, with 2GB of bonus data.
Leasing plans on Telstra reduce the cost per month by AU$10, while for Optus the leasing option lowers the price by between AU$20 each month depending on plan and device.
MAXIMUM DATA INCLUSIONS
If you make your choices based on the highest possible data inclusions:
| Telstra 2 year plan Unlimited | Optus 2 year plan 200GB* | Vodafone 3 year plan 100GB | |
| iPhone Xs 64GB | AU$199 | AU$130 | AU$125.25 |
| iPhone Xs 256GB | AU$199 | AU$145 | AU$132.19 |
| iPhone Xs 512GB | AU$199 | AU$160 | AU$141.08 |
| iPhone Xs Max 64GB | AU$199 | AU$140 | AU$129.97 |
| iPhone Xs Max 256GB | AU$199 | AU$155 | AU$136.91 |
| iPhone Xs Max 512GB | AU$199 | AU$170 | AU$145.80 |
*At the time of writing, Optus was having a double data promotion, and the plan used for this table was 200GB per month, and did not have its data doubled. The regular 100GB plan from Optus was available for double data, and cost AU$15 less each month.
Leasing plans on Optus lowers the price by between AU$20 each month, depending on plan and device.
There is no discount for leasing with unlimited data on Telstra.
VODAFONE
Vodafone breaks down its iPhone plans into a monthly repayment cost based on the length of the contract signed, and plan cost data inclusions.
Vodafone's Red plans offer 2GB for AU$35, 20GB for AU$45, and 60GB for $60. Its Red Plus plans are available for AU$60 for 60GB, and $80 for 100GB.
The monthly repayment cost for each device is laid out in the table below.
| Device repayment per month | 12 months | 24 months | 36 months |
| iPhone Xs 64GB | AU$135.75 | AU$67.87 | AU$45.25 |
| iPhone Xs 256GB | AU$156.58 | AU$78.29 | AU$52.19 |
| iPhone Xs 512GB | AU$183.25 | AU$91.62 | AU$61.08 |
| iPhone Xs Max 64GB | AU$149.91 | AU$74.95 | AU$49.97 |
| iPhone Xs Max 256GB | AU$170.75 | AU$85.37 | AU$56.91 |
| iPhone Xs Max 512GB | AU$197.41 | AU$98.70 | AU$65.80 |
TELSTRA
Telstra is the only telco offering an unlimited plan, which costs AU$199 per month regardless of the type of the new iPhone chosen.
The total cost for each device on a 24-month plan is laid out the table below.
Leasing a phone, rather than buying one, costs AU$10 a month less. Leasing on unlimited plans has no reduction in price.
Australia's dominant telco charges AU$15 more for each upgrade in storage, and AU$15 for the iPhone Xs Max compared to the iPhone Xs.
| 3GB | 10GB | 30GB | 90GB | |
| iPhone Xs 64GB | AU$109 | AU$119 | AU$124 | AU$129 |
| iPhone Xs 256GB | AU$124 | AU$134 | AU$139 | AU$144 |
| iPhone Xs 512GB | AU$139 | AU$149 | AU$154 | AU$159 |
| iPhone Xs Max 64GB | AU$124 | AU$134 | AU$139 | AU$144 |
| iPhone Xs Max 256GB | AU$139 | AU$149 | AU$154 | AU$159 |
| iPhone Xs Max 512GB | AU$154 | AU$164 | AU$169 | AU$174 |
OPTUS
Optus is currently offering a double data bonus on most of its plans, which will be indicated by an asterisk.
Plans on Optus are over a 24-month period.
| 2GB* | 10GB* | 25GB* | 100GB* | 200GB | |
| iPhone Xs 64GB | AU$85 | AU$100 | AU$110 | AU$115 | AU$130 |
| iPhone Xs 256GB | AU$100 | AU$115 | AU$125 | AU$130 | AU$145 |
| iPhone Xs 512GB | AU$115 | AU$130 | AU$140 | AU$145 | AU$160 |
| iPhone Xs Max 64GB | AU$95 | AU$110 | AU$120 | AU$125 | AU$140 |
| iPhone Xs Max 256GB | AU$110 | AU$125 | AU$135 | AU$140 | AU$155 |
| iPhone Xs Max 512GB | AU$125 | AU$140 | AU$150 | AU$155 | AU$170 |
Typically, the telco offers the same phones and data plans for AU$10 cheaper on a leasing plan; however, that can range from AU$20 to AU$5 depending on phone model and data plan.
Related Coverage
iPhone XS/iPhone XS Max/iPhone XR: Here's everything you need to know (in pictures)
Here's everything from the September 12 launch event that you need to know about the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max, and the iPhone XR. Here I've captured details of the camera, battery life, the new A12 Bionic processor, launch dates, as well as the all-important price of these new devices.
How much will you have to spend to get your hands on Apple's latest smartphones and smart watches?
Apple iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR: Features and specs compared
Let's take a tour of the key features of Apple's new iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, and see how they differ.
The iPhone with a laptop price tag: Will Apple's iPhone XS Max convince business pros to upgrade? (TechRepublic)
Jason Hiner and Bill Detwiler discuss Apple's latest mobile hardware, including the most expensive iPhone ever and the increasingly health-conscious Apple Watch Series 4.
iPhone XS sticker shock: Two reasons business pros should consider Apple's cheaper iPhones (TechRepublic)
Business pros and IT departments may choose the cheaper iPhones expected to be announced at Apple's Sept 12 event, over iPhone XS models.